Fjords of Norway by Train 2012 

We depart from London Heathrow on our scheduled flight to Norway. We fly out to Oslo, where we change aircraft for the onward flight to Bergen, nestled strategically beneath seven hills, and surrounded by fjords. Our accommodation in Bergen is the excellent Radisson Blu Hotel Norge, ideally located in the heart of the city, where we spend the next three nights. (D)

Your day is free to spend at leisure in Bergen. Take a stroll along the historic Bryggen waterfront, the city's old Hanseatic trading wharf. Over the years, many fires have damaged the medieval wooden houses of Bryggen, but their main structures have been preserved. It is possible to see how the merchants' dwellings on Bryggen would have looked in the early 18th century at the Hanseatisk Museum, which includes rooms furnished in late Hansa style. A journey on the Fløibanen Funicular to the top of Fløyen mountain (320 metres above sea level) provides superb views over the city.  Bergen also has many other interesting museums and galleries to choose from. (B)

Our full-day excursion today takes us on a fantastic exploration of Norway's fjordland region, travelling through some of the country's most breathtaking landscapes and on some of the most scenic train journeys in Scandinavia. We begin by train from Bergen to the mountain resort of Voss, where we board the bus to Gudvangen. During this part of the journey we experience the famous Stalheimskleiva mountain road which twists and turns through 13 hairpin bends, offers breathtaking views of the Sivlefossen and Stalheimsfossen waterfalls, and is the steepest road in Northern Europe. We arrive at the village of Gudvangen, situated in the inner Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO´s World Heritage site and one of the narrowest fjords in Europe.

Our journey continues from Gudvangen by boat across the Nærøyfjord, eventually reaching the larger Aurlandsfjord. Aurlandsfjord is a 17 kilometre branch of the world's second longest fjord, the Sognefjord (204 km). Together with Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord is one of the most picturesque fjords in the world. The mountains surrounding the fjords are more than 1,400 metres high in some places. Located at the head of the fjord, at its southernmost point, is the picturesque fjordside village of Flåm.

We continue from Flåm by train on board the fantastic Flåm Railway, a journey that takes us 12 miles from the foot of the fjord to the isolated mountain station of Myrdal, via a multitude of twists and turns. This is another incredibly scenic section of railway that provides us with stunning mountain panoramas and passes spectacular cascading waterfalls. We board the Bergen Railway in Myrdal for the final journey towards the North Sea, arriving back in Bergen in the late afternoon. (B,D)

We leave Bergen this morning, travelling by rail 'across the roof of Norway' on Northern Europe's highest altitude line. We pass through Dale and Voss on the Bergen Railway as we climb towards Myrdal. This part of the journey takes us through a wild and desolate high mountain landscape, a beautiful and untouched region, much of which remains inaccessible by any other means of transport. As we continue east we pass Finse and the mountain resort of Geilo before descending 3,000 feet across 60 miles and travelling through the country's fertile pastures before eventually arriving into the nation's capital city. Arriving at Oslo station, we walk to our hotel for three nights, the Thon Hotel Opera, located across the road from the station, close to the Opera House, Oslofjord and Karl Johans Gate. (B,D)

We begin our stay in Oslo with a guided coach tour to introduce you to the main sights. The new State Opera House is situated close to our hotel and is an impressive, award-winning example of modern architecture. During our panoramic tour we will also see Norway's magnificent 19th century Royal Palace, and the 20th century Oslo City Hall, which is the home of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies. We will also introduce you to the museum quarter at Bygdøy and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, which rises to a height of 60 metres on the outskirks of the city. From the top you can enjoy terrific views across the city and the Oslofjord. Oslo also boasts a variety of attractive parks and we take a stroll through the Vigeland Sculpture Park, whose 80 fascinating acres were designed by Gustav Vigeland and features 212 life-size human sculptures. (B,D)

Today is spent at leisure in Norway's capital city. Oslo offers a good choice of museums including the Viking Ship and Maritime Museum, the Folk Museum and the (Edvard) Munch Museum, to name just a few. A walk up Karl Johans Gate will reveal the Royal Palace and a multitude of shops and restaurants. At Akershus Castle and Fortress you will find the location of King Christian IV's old defences. As well a offering an enjoyable place for a relaxed walk, there are two museums at site of the Castle & Fortress - the Defence Museum and the World War II Resistance Museum. Otherwise, you could take a scenic cruise on Oslofjord. Cruises on the Oslofjord are available just a short walk from the hotel. (B)

We transfer to Oslo Airport today by airport-express train as we begin our journey home. We fly directly to London, arriving into Heathrow Airport. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday